Kruger and Southern Africa

[Jacques Vert]

Another view of the lagoon:



Restaurant 34 Degrees:








Heading towards Mossel Bay the following day:

 

[love_the_life]

Funny to see Greek salad and chips served with lobster but regional differences make it all the more interesting.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Funny to see Greek salad and chips served with lobster but regional differences make it all the more interesting.

Yes indeed. I guess were not talking fine dining here.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Driving towards our next stop, Mossel Bay...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Mossel Bay

Again we stayed at a Protea; not many Hiltons or IHG, etc. in this part of the world.

This one was interesting. The room is over three floors. Our lounge room and kitchen are on the floor where you enter:





There is a small open bedroom upstairs:



And downstairs is the bathroom and the main bedroom:






There are small balconies off both the lounge and the main bedroom.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The view from the balcony off the lounge room...






We came across a small bar and restaurant called Kaai 4 Braai:



Where they serve pretty ordinary house wine in enamel mugs:




But worth a visit for the view:

 

[Jacques Vert]

After the horrible dining experience at the Protea in Franschhoek we had decided to avoid eating in restaurants attached to Protea hotels. However, after checking out some of the restaurants within walking distance of our digs, we decided that the Protea looked to be the best and was well patronised for lunch (always a good sign).

We quietly asked a few of the patrons about their meals and received excellent comments, so we booked a table for dinner. Lucky we did because when we arrived they were booked out and turning people away.

The menu:



+1 had the Sriracha Chicken Bites:



and I had the Snail Cigars:




For my main I had the Local Ostrich Espetada.

 

[Jacques Vert]

+1 went for the Prawns





Then for

 

[Jacques Vert]

There was a cool breeze the night we ate at the Protea so we sat inside, however on a nice evening the ambiance at the outside tables would be worth considering:







And the view from our balcony at night:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Originally we intended to spend two nights in Mossel Bay however when in Cape Town the previous weekend, we had been prevented from taking the cableway to Table Mountain by bad weather. So we decided to cut our stay in Mossel Bay back to one night, book a room at the Double Tree or Hilton, and head back to Cape Town a day earlier.

Hmmm…the Hilton is fully booked and the DT only has one room available and then only as a Diamond 48hour guarantee for 20,000 points for a basic twin room. As it was the only option I took it and as I had already booked the following night it was an easy option (no mattress run this time).

So up early for the 4 hour+ drive to Cape Town. The Internet showed that the cableway was open for the first time in a few days and all is looking good.

Heading to Cape Town...











First we dropped our bags at the Double Tree as our room was not ready. Mr Langton, the excellent check-in guy at reception, confirmed that the cableway was still open…All good.

So off we we go; I dropped +1 at the ticket office and went to park the car and surprisingly I found a park not too far away. Heading back to the ticket office I am even more surprised to see +1 coming the other way? The cableway has been closed due to strong winds. Bugger.

Maybe tomorrow????

 

[Jacques Vert]

Also, when in Cape Town the previous weekend, we tried to get a table for dinner at the 12 Apostles Hotel but they were booked out. So when checking in we asked Langton if he could book us a table for tonight. Again booked out, but he has a contact and will see what he can do.

So after missing out on the cableway again, we headed to the V & A Waterfront for some retail therapy and aperitivo. Then back to the DT to find our room and freshen up.

Well, confirmation that they are fully booked by way of a double upgrade to a King Duluxe Loft Suite; and for only 20,000 points, a good deal:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then off to the 12 Apostles Hotel for dinner; yes, Langton’s contact has found us a table, not in the fine dining restaurant but in the Café Grill instead. Food was still good and we were able to head up to the Leopard Bar deck for pre-dinner drinks and sunset photos.




These ones are for you drron:










While the food was good, and the view from the upstairs bar excellent, the overall experience was a little disappointing: it cost us about the same as “Signal” in post 97 where the food and service were far superior. I guess you are paying for the view and “icon” status.

BTW, the price of a room here is outrageous.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Back to the DT and it is blowing a full gale and then some. Listening to the wind howling outside (through every miniscule gap in a window or door) I don’t fancy our chances of visiting Table Mountain tomorrow.

We had intended getting up early enough to be at the bottom of the cableway an hour before opening but, as the gale blew all night, there seemed little point in getting up early. So we took our time and had a leisurely breakfast and I checked online at 0800. Bugger me; there is no wind at the top of the mountain and the cableway is open.

Into the car and lets go before it closes again.

Having been closed for days there were always going to be queues but we didn’t have to go to work in the afternoon so no problem…

 

[Jacques Vert]

Some more of Table Mountain..

 

[Jacques Vert]

There is a free guide service on Table Mountain (donatiion/tips accepted, of course).

You meet on the Terrace below the shop on the hour (or thereabouts = African time).

Our guide was excellent and quite humorous:




A view of the 12 Apostles Hotel:




We had lunch and a glass of wine before heading back down...

 

[Jacques Vert]

That evening, we headed to Bo-Kaap for dinner at Bo-Kapp Kombuis, a restaurant serving traditional Cape Malay food.




The Bo-Kaap area is where Malay immigrants traditionally lived although I understand it has always been multicultural. It is known for its cobble-stone streets and multi-coloured houses.

As most of the Malay immigrants were Muslims there are many mosques in the area and being a traditional Cape Malay establishment, Bo-Kapp Kombuis is strictly no alcohol and halal food, of course.






The view is spectacular, the food excellent and the people/staff very nice.






We had a long chat with the owner on the deck after dinner discussing Cape Town’s history, race relations (then and now) and various other matters of mutual interest.

 

[Jacques Vert]

So ends our time in South Africa.

Another day, a new adventure...



As far as I could see, Air Namibia are not part of any alliance so we joined their loyalty program, another card in the wallet.

It's an A319 and we are seated first row behind business.




Table Mountain and Robben seen from SW704...






Heading north along the coast:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Air Namibia provide complimentary meals and drinks (including wine) on their international flights including this one (not sure about domestic flights).

+1 had the Malay chicken:



I had the beef:



Fish River Canyon:





Arrival in Windhoek...

 

[Flying mermaid]

That evening, we headed to Bo-Kaap for dinner at Bo-Kapp Kombuis, a restaurant serving traditional Cape Malay food.

View attachment 92354


The Bo-Kaap area is where Malay immigrants traditionally lived although I understand it has always been multicultural. It is known for its cobble-stone streets and multi-coloured houses.

As most of the Malay immigrants were Muslims there are many mosques in the area and being a traditional Cape Malay establishment, Bo-Kapp Kombuis is strictly no alcohol and halal food, of course.

View attachment 92355

View attachment 92356


The view is spectacular, the food excellent and the people/staff very nice.

View attachment 92357

View attachment 92358


We had a long chat with the owner on the deck after dinner discussing Cape Town’s history, race relations (then and now) and various other matters of mutual interest.

Glad you enjoyed Bo-Kaap Kombuis - we had a terrific meal there and the view at night is great.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After clearing immigration, etc. we pick up our 4x4. Back in post 43, I stated that we had finally found a 4WD that was within our budget through Britz, a Mazda BT50 single cab petrol.

Looks like we have received and operational upgrade:



A diesel Nissan Dual Cab. The paperwork was extensive and very thorough but eventually we are on our way into Windhoek...






There is both a speed camera and a permanent Police roadblock between the airport and the city. We're told that they recently arrested a group of Chinese with Rhino Horn in the car. We also notice they are checking registration and driving licences but "our officer" notices we are in a rental car and waves us through.

We are booked at the Hilton, Windhoek; the only Hilton in Namibia.

Normally around $N2,600 , we pick it up for 8,000 points + $N548 (around 53 Aussie dollars). A bargain if ever there was.

Our room is not ready so we are invited to wait in the lounge. This is the upstairs business centre:




And the main lounge below: